A New Platform [Intro Post August]

[voidtreckermods]

On the Train

"Good morning passengers, it is day sixteen of the month of Grasshopper. Points have been updated on the system and Voidtrecker Express lunch boxes are now available to buy."

They have indeed and everyone can spend the morning shopping, for lunch boxes or other items. Those who have been on the train a while will be expecting the second announcement that comes a few hours later.

"Shortly arriving into a designated void platform. Exit from void in ten, nine, eight, seven, six, five, four, three, two, one." A lurch and a jolt and they are soon surrounded by the fog that means they are at a platform. The sun beats down, a harsh, red glow heating the structure almost to the point of discomfort, although the train remains pleasantly cool. People might want to leave hoodies in their cabins.

As usual the first to leave the train notice nothing as they walk silently, rucksacks on their backs, towards the barriers: Alex Hashimoto, Ardyn, Basilton Pitch, Garrett, Gyro Gearloose, Heart, Higgs, Jack Harkness , Luke Skywalker, Merciless, Sam Bridges, Scintilla Caminus, Sven, Telli, Tokidoki Rikugou, Undyne and Wen Ning

But on the platform itself there are many new faces. Wearing polo shirts in four familiar colours, with an equally familiar array of expressions.

For New Passengers

At first all they can see is steam billowing around them as they come to their senses. The second thing they will notice is the oppressive, cloying heat hazing the air. The paving is sun-warm, and damp with water vapour.

They are standing, in clothes that are not their own, styles they might not even recognise. They are carrying a rucksack on their back. For a moment it seems to just be them, alone in the white haze, but then the steam begins to fade. They aren’t alone.

The platform, all pale paving and cement pillars, is not large and it holds thirteen figures all facing the tracks, all dressed in cargo trousers and hoodies. Both left and right the tracks disappear into the mist. Then there is a roaring sound and out of the fog arrives a train. Jet black with gold writing on the side. The Voidtrecker Express. There is a hiss as the doors slide open and out into the heat step a selection of people. Some are human, some are less so. Most are wearing the same uniform in one of the four colours, red, orange, blue and purple, though some are sporting different clothes in a variety of styles.

The Train

The doors hiss open. Those from the train may encourage those on the platform to board. It’s not like there is anywhere else to go and even if there was, you feel a pull. A need to board, a feeling that staying on the platform would not be a good thing. If that is not enough, there are plenty of people on the platform now, to encourage them onto the train.

Once again it’s not all that long before the whistles blow as if hurrying the passengers along.

Each ICP shows the same message and next to the screens there are stacks of leaflets written by those on the train, with further information.

The store rooms have been restocked with more carrots, as well as other staples for the month. Those heading to the luggage carriage for their parcels will find some generic boxes labeled All Passengers. Inside they will find extra leather bound journals for those who have gotten to the end of theirs. There are also supplies of extra toiletries for passengers who are running low.

The big changes that passengers will notice is that the Quiet Coach and the Medical Coach now have two stories. The quiet coach has a whole extra five booths upstairs. The medical coach now has four recovery rooms whilst downstairs now holds two treatment rooms as well as a surgery bay.

New passengers will find their tickets allow them into their cabins. They may need to negotiate for beds, especially if they want a top bunk!

Room is tight but there are storage cubbies at the head of each bed, beds fold up and the bottom bunks double as benches for the small table. There is storage under those benches and you will hopefully find a pillow for your bed if it has not been nabbed by a roommate, there are also spare blankets for if it gets cold.

Departure

A second horn sounds to encourage any stragglers and the doors slide shut. Veteran passengers know what will happen next, they may wish to brief their new companions.

The train sets off, the fog obscuring the view as it picks up speed.

"Welcome aboard, passengers of the Voidtrecker Express." A female-coded artificial sounding voice echoes throughout the train. "Please take the time to read the passenger information displayed on the Information and Communication points and familiarise yourself with the layout and emergency exits."

The train begins to tilt, leaving the ground and rising up into the fog filled sky.

"Entrance into Voidspace imminent. New passengers are advised to remain seated. Entry into Voidspace in ten, nine, eight, seven, six, five, four, three, two, one."

A shudder, a jolt, a lurch to the left. A flash of light, colourful and blinding. As quick as it happens it is done. The train seems to steady itself. The fog from the windows is gone now, replaced with a kaleidoscope of ever changing colours.

Welcome to the Void!

Comments

[wizard_redfive]

"Permission and a solid reason why it's worth the risks! We're lucky the spell didn't backfire more directly," Dairine shakes her head. Psychotropic spells could have some nasty costs when they failed. She'd like to think Bobo at least tried to warn Neets, though she doesn't know her sister's 'imaginary friend' too well. But Nita could be stubborn sometimes.

[singerofspells]

Yes. And S'reee suspects that the mix of Nita's temper and stubbornness meant that talking her down in between her deciding to do so and doing it would have been a titanic task. Not that S'reee doesn't regret finding her sooner.

Of course, what to do next was another matter. "I'm not the only one wishing we knew more about the train itself. Or had some actual Advisories here."

[wizard_redfive]

Oh, it would have been a task and a half. Dair should know—she's her sister.

"Having a Senior around would be nice." Even if it'd likely get Dairine trouble at times. At least then she wouldn't have to take on the extra responsibility in situations like this. "Then I wouldn't have to worry as much about Neets getting in over her head."

She shrugs. "We'll learn more about the train given time. It's annoying, but unless another source of information shows up, we're gonna have to wait until the train's ready to share."

Which... might be awhile after this.

[singerofspells]

"Be careful, or I'll find the Powers have changed my title again.". Which... S'reee accepts that that sort of thing is a skill that she has and that few enough wizards have the inclinations and training. It doesn't mean she doesn't like complaining about it.

[wizard_redfive]

"Better you than me," she quips back half jokingly. As far as Dairine is concerned, she'd make a terrible mentor. She has no patience for it.

...Or any patience at all.

[singerofspells]

"And better that you deal with all the technological things than me," S'reee said. "But... I'm glad we've got a number of us here." Us wizards. Because even if Dairine is also a younger wizard, having three of them means that two of them can talk when one of them is in trouble. Like now.

[wizard_redfive]

"It is good not to be alone," Dairine agrees. Not only because having more wizards is strategically better for problem solving, but being the lone wizard of their kind is very straining, as Dair knows far too well. Back in Paradisa, she felt like she could never have a break. With the Powers not telling her what situations were assigned as her errantry, Dairine kept throwing herself at every problem she saw.

And in that castle, problems happened on the regular.